Album: The Joshua Tree (1987)

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• From father to son
  The blood runs thin
  See faces frozen still
  Against the wind
  
  The seam is split
  The coal face cracked
  The lines are long
  There's no going back
  Through hands of steel
  And heart of stone
  Our labor day
  Has come and gone
  
  Yeah you leave me holding on
  In Red Hill town
  See lights go down, I'm
  
  Hanging on
  You're all that's left to hold on to
  I'm still waiting
  I'm hanging on
  You're all that's left to hold on to
  
  The glass is cut
  The bottle run dry
  Our love runs cold
  In the caverns of the night
  We're wounded by fear
  Injured in doubt
  I can lose myself
  You I can't live without
  
  Yeah you keep me holding on
  In Red Hill town
  See the lights go down on
  I'm hanging on
  You're all that's left to hold on to
  I'm still waiting
  Hanging on
  You're all that's left to hold on to, on to
  
  We'll scorch the earth
  Set fire to the sky
  We stoop so low, to reach so high
  A link is lost
  The chain undone
  We wait all day
  For night to come
  And it comes
  Like a hunter child
  
  I'm hanging on
  You're all that's left to hold on to
  I'm still waiting
  I'm hanging on
  You're all that's left to hold on to
  
  Love, slowly stripped away
  Love, has seen its better day
  
  Hanging on
  The lights go out on Red Hill
  The lights go down on Red Hill
  Lights go down on Red Hill town
  The lights go down on Red Hill Writer/s: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul Hewson
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 15

• Jimmy from SeattleBono's voice ... soars and grinds with such raw, honest emotion. I'm not sure what the guy in the lyric is "hanging on" for, but with Bono singing for him, I BELIEVE he really needs it and I pray he gets it soon. Little thing in this vocal that always slays me: As it's winding down in the last dramatic moment, you hear a sound from his voice - not words, but what I think it's called a "glottal stroke," it's kinda like a brief sob or moan ... so glad the producer, Eno or Lillywhite, left it in. If I hear it at the right moment, it can bring tears to my eyes. Hear it at 3:50 or so.
• Broncobuff from SeattleBono's voice ... soars and grinds with such raw, honest emotion. I'm not sure what the guy in the lyric is "hanging on" for, but with Bono singing for him, I BELIEVE he really needs it and I pray he gets it soon. Little thing in this vocal that always slays me: As it's winding down in the last dramatic moment, you hear a sound from his voice - not words, but what I think it's called a "glottal stroke," it's kinda like a brief sob or moan ... so glad the producer, Eno or Lillywhite, left it in. If I hear it at the right moment, it can bring tears to my eyes. Hear it at 3:50 or so.
• Nick from La Paz, BoliviaOne of the best from the album! Beautiful melody. Once again, Bono manages to put us in the skin of the characters he sings about.
• Jimmy Wooldridge from Hull Red Hill is a brilliant song. Great lyrics, great sound. Now Bono's voice is more matured I'm sure he could hit it right live. He sang Miss Sarejevo live in Milan, hit really high notes in that. The song is brilliant in my opinion. He hits very high notes in One Tree Hill and he does that live.
• Karen from Kennett Square, PaThis was the favorite in my college days. All of us loved it. I think they should rework it somehow so that it can be performed live. I think it is more loved by fans than they realize. Joshua Tree equals college memories to me. I just feel it when I hear the album. I love the feeling.
• Bert Van De Kamp from Den Bosch, NetherlandsU2 Traveled the California desert with photographer Anton Corbijn while finishing this album.
  A visit to the ghost town of Bodie CA and subsequent exposure to stories about certain residents there may have inspired these lyrics.
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0rFoW3hPuA
  Beautiful and inspiring place
• Eddie from East Islip, NyThis song never quite got the recognition it deserved. One of my favs from the joshua tree era!!!
• Heather from Los Angeles, CaHow come they called the album "The Joshua Tree"? I live in the desert and have seen many a Joshua Tree. Not too much else growing in the Mojave actually.
• Lily from Godrics Hallow, Englandi think the best line is: "we steep so low to reach so high" so true! love you bono!
• Ray from Memphis, TnOne of my fav' U2 songs. Great singing by Bone et al. I agree - very underrated song.
• Nick from Bridgeton, MeGreat song, wish it was released as a single only to add to the infamy of one of the greatest albums ever.
• Jim from Burlington, Vtone of the most underrated U2 songs
• Rick from Humboldt, IaAn awesome song with a great chorus.
• Brett from Grand Rapids, MaPersonally I think this song doesn't get the credit it deserves. It's one of my favorite songs on the Joshua Tree, Although all the songs on this album are great. I personally wish they would have released the video.
• Brian from Meriden, CtAnother absolute GEM on the less-explored second side of this landmark classic album, which itself explores the American West. The second-side opener sets the tone with the hard realities of mining families even when there is work. It continues on, painting the images of the pain and struggles of the human experience onto a desolate and unforgiving desert landscape to which it is so desperately tied.

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